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February 6, 2017

Kerala Vegetable Stew | Ishtu Recipe – Side Dish For Appam, Idiyappam

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 Kerala Vegetable stew recipe
Vegetable stew also known as Ishtu is one of the most popular side dish recipes served for Appam and Idiyappam/Noolappam in Kerala. I make appam at least twice in a month for breakfast as it is our family favorite. Usually I make mixed vegetable stew, potato kurma/ paya or onion chutney as side dish for appam. I learnt this stew recipe after watching a cookery show by a Chef in Raj TV. He addressed this recipe as “Restaurant style Vegetable Stew”. I got attracted by the title and wrote down the recipe in my cook book. Its a very simple & healthy vegetable stew recipe that looks colorful with awesome flavor and rich taste of mixed vegetables, coconut oil & coconut milk. I made this stew in pressure cooker to make my job easier.So its color was pale white but it tasted great. We loved it a lot with appam.This veg stew post was lying in my drafts for long time.So I thought of bringing out today. Friends, do try this easy, Kerala style vegetable stew recipe at home & relish it with appam or idiyappam for your breakfast. For variations, you can use potato instead of mixed veggies and make it as potato stew. Ok lets see how to make vegetable stew with step by step photos !
Check out my other “Kerala Recipes” too!
Vegetable stew recipe

Kerala Vegetable Stew Recipe


Kerala Vegetable Stew Recipe How to make Kerala style vegetable stew recipe
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Side dish For Appam
Serves: Serves 3
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 30 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 240ml
  • *Mixed vegetables ( Carrot, Beans, Potato) - 3/4 cup
  • Big onion - 1 no ( Slice thinly)
  • Ginger - 2 inch piece ( Slice it thinly or finely chopped)
  • Green chilli – 2-3 nos ( slit)
  • Thin coconut milk – 1 cup
  • Thick coconut milk – 1 cup
  • Salt – As needed
  • Sugar – A big pinch
To temper
  • Coconut oil – 1 tbsp
  • Bay leaf - 1 no
  • Cinnamon - 1 inch piece
  • Cloves - 2 nos
  • Curry leaves – Few
** Carrot – 1 medium, Potato – 1 medium, Beans – 4 nos
METHOD

  • Grate or chop 1 coconut into pieces. Grind to a smooth paste adding 1 cup of water. Strain the thick coconut milk and keep it in a bowl. Again grind the coconut adding 1 cup of water.Take the second milk by extracting it. Keep in another bowl.
  • Wash and chop the vegetables of 1 inch length. Slit the green chilli, slice the onion.Chop the ginger into small pieces or slice it thinly.
    Vegetable stew recipe
    Vegetable stew recipe
  • Heat coconut oil in a pressure cooker base. Saute bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves. Add thinly sliced onion, ginger pieces and slit green chilli. Saute till onion turns transparent. Make sure color of onion stays white and not brown.
    Vegetable stew recipe
    Vegetable stew recipe

  • Then add the chopped mixed vegetables, a big pinch of sugar and saute for a minute. Sugar helps to retain the color of vegetables.Add the required salt and the second coconut milk.Mix well and close the cooker. Cook for one whistle in very low flame. It takes 7-8 minutes.Open the cooker after the steam is released.Veggies would be cooked soft.
  • Now add the thick coconut milk now and give one boil.Check for taste, add more salt if needed. Switch off the flame. Garnish with curry leaves and set aside. Give a standing time of 15 minutes and serve with appam/idiyappam.
    Vegetable stew recipe
  • Enjoy !


Note
  • Add more green chilli for spicy taste.
  • Add cashew paste for thickness and richness to the stew. Grind 6 cashews and add the paste.
  • This stew has a mild masala flavor.
  • Coconut oil is very important for tempering. Do not skip it.
Try this Kerala style vegetable stew with appam and enjoy !!
How to make vegetable stew


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4 comments :

Kalaivani packiaraj said...

Can we pack veg stew for lunch box will it stay good

Chitra said...

Its based on the weather. For hot climate, it doesn't stay good.

Kalaivani packiaraj said...

Plz suggest best sidedish for idiappam for dinner

Chitra said...

Hi Kalaivani, I have shared a vegetable kurma for idiyappam. Its different from chapathi kurma. You can try that.